G.A.R. and Related Badges, Buttons, Pins and Ribbons

This website is dedicated to the memory of those who served their country in the Union Army, 1861 - 1865,
with respect to their equally dedicated opponents.

This collection was given to me by my Grandfather, Albert
Starkweather Norton. His grandfather was Albert
S. Norton, and he belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. He served
for 9 months in the 21st New Jersey Volunteers. He participated in the battle of
Fredericksburg, and then was sick with Typhoid (or Typhus?) and Pleuracy. When
hardly recovered, he went into the second battle of Fredericksburg (Chancellorsville).
After the city was captured, as part of the battle of Salem Church, he was taken
prisoner and sent to Belle Island. He came down with rheumatism because of the exposure,
and was crippled with it for the rest of his life.

He and his family seem to have been active in the G.A.R. In something
he wrote for his disability pension application, he mentioned that he saw one of his comrades 'every year,'
and I take this as an indication that he went to annual encampment events. He became more and more
disabled over time, but the rheumatism was worst in Winter, and these events were usually on the fourth
of July, so he may still have been able to travel to them. He died in 1899, and many of the pins are later
dates than that, so his wife Sarah E. Norton and his children seem to have continued to be active.

Most of the pins I have used to have ribbons attached, but these
deteriorated over time and most of them were thrown away.

It is possible that they may have traded with people for other
badges, like I did when I went to a Boy Scout National Jamboree,
or maybe even picked up discarded ones. We have no family tradition
to explain them. But since I can only guess, I am going to assume
that all of these badges belonged to the
Nortons.

I have tried to supply what links I
can to go along with all the images. My research is ongoing, so check back once in a while!
I will be greatful to anyone who can supply me with more information.
Write to me!

The encampments and dedications were all within reach of
a train ride. These events were a great outing, with speaches and big meals.
These were the days before radio and T.V., and along with the patriotism and loyalty
to the men with whom they served, veterans and many others came to these events because
they were a lot of fun.

The G.A.R. post in Jersey City was named after Albert S. Norton's commanding officer, Colonel Gilliam Van Houten,
who died from his wounds near Salem Church.
There were other NJ posts named for his corps
commander, General John Sedgwick, who was killed later, at
Spottsylvania. I don't know which post he
belonged to, but I would think the one in Jersey City.